Sources of Irredentism in Foreign Policy : Understanding Kin Policies in the Aftermath of Communism in Serbia and Albania

ISBN-13: 9783639104264 / Angielski / Miękka / 2009 / 64 str.

Ilir Kalemaj

Opis

Irredentism in foreign policy constitutes aninteresting but not quite developed field in the IRliterature. This study discusses the backgroundconditions and sources of irredentist foreignpolicies. The book is based on a comparative casestudy,- juxtaposing Serbia and Albania,- that allowsfor an examination of various variables andcharacteristics of each case. While the processtracing method allows to critically examine thehistorical processes in both countries when thewindows of opportunity for irredentist policies openup. The main aim of the book is to discuss thepatterns of foreign policy toward kin in bothcountries and to provide an answer of why Serbiabecame increasingly irredentist in the aftermath ofCommunism, while Albania refrained from following up.The research builds up on a rationale that focuses onthe role of intermediate societal ideas, interestsand institutions in fomenting irredentist policies.Hence, the question that this thesis seeks to answeris: how do these societal ideas, interest andinstitutions shape foreign policy with regard toethnic kin across the border. Second, why does thishappens only at some periods, but not in others?

O autorze

Ilir Kalemaj is a PhD Candidate at Central European University,
Budapest in International Relations/ European Studies department,
where he also completed his Master`s in 2007. Ilir has completed
a BA in IR/Political Science from Empire State College/State
University of New York and a BA from Law Faculty in the Albanian
State University.